Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)

PATIENT & CAREGIVER EDUCATION

Tirzepatide

This information from Lexicomp® explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it’s used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider.

Brand Names: US

Mounjaro

Warning

This drug has been shown to cause thyroid cancer in some animals. It is not known if this happens in humans. If thyroid cancer happens, it may be deadly if not found and treated early. Call your doctor right away if you have a neck mass, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or have hoarseness that will not go away.

Do not use this drug if you have a health problem called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2), or if you or a family member have had thyroid cancer.

Have your blood work checked and thyroid ultrasounds as you have been told by your doctor.

What is this drug used for?

It is used to lower blood sugar in patients with high blood sugar (diabetes).

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take this drug?

If you are allergic to this drug; any part of this drug; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.

If you have type 1 diabetes. Do not use this drug to treat type 1 diabetes.

If you have ever had pancreatitis.

If you have stomach or bowel problems.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this drug.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take this drug with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take this drug?

Tell all of your health care providers that you take this drug. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.

Wear disease medical alert ID (identification).

Follow the diet and workout plan that your doctor told you about.

Check your blood sugar as you have been told by your doctor.

Do not drive if your blood sugar has been low. There is a greater chance of you having a crash.

Birth control pills may not work as well to prevent pregnancy. If you take birth control pills, you may need to switch to another type of hormonebased birth control like a vaginal ring if your doctor tells you to. If another type of hormone-based birth control is not an option, use some other kind of birth control also, like a condom. Do this for 4 weeks after starting this drug and for 4 weeks each time the dose is raised.

This drug may prevent other drugs taken by mouth from getting into the body. If you take other drugs by mouth, you may need to take them at some other time than this drug. Talk with your doctor.

It may be harder to control blood sugar during times of stress such as fever, infection, injury, or surgery. A change in physical activity, exercise, or diet may also affect blood sugar.

Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol.

Do not share with another person even if the needle has been changed.

Sharing your tray or pen may pass infections from one person to another.

This includes infections you may not know you have.

If you cannot drink liquids by mouth or if you have upset stomach, throwing up, or diarrhea that does not go away; you need to avoid getting dehydrated. Contact your doctor to find out what to do. Dehydration may lead to low blood pressure or to new or worse kidney problems.

A severe and sometimes deadly pancreas problem (pancreatitis) has happened with other drugs like this one.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.

Signs of gallbladder problems like pain in the upper right belly area, right shoulder area, or between the shoulder blades; yellow skin or eyes; fever with chills; bloating; or very upset stomach or throwing up.

Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.

Dizziness or passing out.

A fast heartbeat.

Change in eyesight.

Low blood sugar can happen. The chance may be raised when this drug is used with other drugs for diabetes. Signs may be dizziness, headache, feeling sleepy or weak, shaking, fast heartbeat, confusion, hunger, or sweating. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Follow what you have been told to do for low blood sugar. This may include taking glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or some fruit juices.

What are some other side effects of this drug?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or decreased appetite.

Heartburn.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to your national health agency.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

How is this drug best taken?

Use this drug as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you.

Follow all instructions closely.

It is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin on the top of the thigh, belly area, or upper arm.

If you will be giving yourself the shot, your doctor or nurse will teach you how to give the shot.

Keep taking this drug as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.

Take the same day each week.

Move site where you give the shot each time.

Take with or without food.

Wash your hands before and after use.

Do not use if the solution is leaking or has particles.

This drug is colorless to a faint yellow. Do not use if the solution changes color.

If you are also using insulin, you may inject this drug and the insulin in the same area of the body but not right next to each other.

Do not mix this drug in the same syringe with insulin.

Do not move this drug from the pen to a syringe.

Each pen is for one use only. Throw away any part of the used pen after the dose is given.

Throw away needles in a needle/sharp disposal box. Do not reuse needles or other items. When the box is full, follow all local rules for getting rid of it. Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

If it is within 4 days after the missed dose, take the missed dose and go back to your normal day.

If it has been more than 4 days since the missed dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal day.

Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

How do I store and/or throw out this drug?

Store in a refrigerator. Do not freeze.

Do not use if it has been frozen.

If needed, each pen may be stored at room temperature for up to 21 days. If you store at room temperature, throw away any part not used after 21 days.

Protect from heat.

Store in the original container to protect from light.

Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.

Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

General drug facts

If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.

Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else’s drugs.

Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

This drug comes with an extra patient fact sheet called a Medication Guide. Read it with care. Read it again each time this drug is refilled. If you have any questions about this drug, please talk with the doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This generalized information is a limited summary of diagnosis, treatment, and/or medication information. It is not meant to be comprehensive and should be used as a tool to help the user understand and/or assess potential diagnostic and treatment options. It does NOT include all information about conditions, treatments, medications, side effects, or risks that may apply to a specific patient. It is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for the medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of a health care provider based on the health care provider’s examination and assessment of a patient’s specific and unique circumstances. Patients must speak with a health care provider for complete information about their health, medical questions, and treatment options, including any risks or benefits regarding use of medications. This information does not endorse any treatments or medications as safe, effective, or approved for treating a specific patient. UpToDate, Inc. and its affiliates disclaim any warranty or liability relating to this information or the use thereof. The use of this information is governed by the Terms of Use, available at https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/know/clinical-effectiveness-terms.

Last Reviewed Date

2022-05-23